Large parties with wheelchair

[parkhopping]

I will be going to the parks for a couple of days next week with some friends of mine. Our group will consist of 4 adults and 12 kids, ranging in age from 4 months to 14 years - a sight to behold on its own, I'm sure! I just found out that one of the older kids has hurt his foot and is on crutches, so he will be renting a wheelchair for the parks. I've never visited with a wheelchair user before, and I have a few concerns.

For attractions where the queue is not wheelchair accessible, I know there is an alternate entrance. Is there a limit on the number of people that can accompany the wheelchair user to this entrance? If not, how would you recommend splitting up our party? While it would be ideal for us to all be boarding the rides at about the same time, I can't help but feel guilty thinking of so many of us essentially skipping the majority of the line. And I'm sure all 16 of us will not be sticking together all day long, so this may only come up a few times. But I still want to be prepared for the few times we may all do an attraction together. Where would you draw the line on what's fair and what's not in this case?

Similarly, if we do fireworks or a show that has reserved seating for those in wheelchairs, will they allow all of us to be in those areas? If so, would you still consider it rude for us to do so, and how would you suggest we split up the group?

Thanks in advance! I appreciate your advice and suggestions!

 

[rewardsinlife]

Yes, there is a limit to the GAC and it is 5 other people(6 total including wheelchair user). What I would suggest, and what I have seen before when there are large groups together is a request to have the rest of the group, except the wheelchair user, and maybe one other to push to go in the regular line. Then, you notify the CM at the alternate entrance of your big party that you would like to wait for. Basically, you will wait at the boarding entrance for wheelchairs until the rest of the party makes it through the line where you can sometimes rejoin them. Now, this is not a guarentee..at all..the CMs will try their best but they can't always make it work out. One ride I can specifically see being a problem is space mountain since it has a separate vehicle for those needing extra assistance and time to board. Same goes for Pirates.

Maybe a suggestion would be to Have 5 join him in the alternate entrance for one ride, and then flip to the other kids next ride. That way he won't feel so alone and can at least ride with some of his buddies during the ride. Hope this helps!

 

[KPeveler]

There are almost no ride vehicle s that can accommodate that many people, so you'll be splitting up anyway. Also do not count on the wheelchair access being faster then the regular queue . Sometimes it's the same, sometimes longer, sometimes it shorter, so you're going to have to plan on where to meet after. Most are mainstream though so you won't have to split up.

The number of guests who can access. Wheelchair viewing areas for parades and shows is sometimed limited as well. Sometimes as few as 1 person can sit with the person in a wheelchair in a show. Most theaters can accommodate 3 or 4 guests next to the wheelchair, and everyone else sits in another row. For shows like fantasmic and Illuminations your party will likely be split and you'll have to plan to meet afterwards. There is no wheelchair section for fireworks viewing.

With a group that large I think you're going to end up splitting up a lot anyway, so hopefully it won't be too much of an issue. I suggest renting a wheelchair off site to save time and money. Make sure the person brings his crutches into the park to aid with transfers.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Agree with Katy.

But one additional point. The Disney wheelchairs are all adult size. Depending on the size of the kid it may really be a necessity to rent a pediatric wheelchair from one of the offsite vendors.

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information, including in Post #2 where people rent wheelchairs.

Or, if you want an easier route to the FAQs, click on the link in my signature.

 

[SueM in MN]

And, you don't need a Guest Assistance Card (GAC) to bring a wheelchair in line.
The CMs can see the wheelchair and will route the guest using the wheelchair to the correct place.
You can read more about GACs in post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board.

Most attractions do have wheelchair accessible lines in the regular queue. For those, your whole group would be able to stay together while you wait in line. Sometimes, there is a different boarding area that guests ith mobility devices are sent to, often just before the regular boarding area. For those, be prepared to split into one group of 6 or less who will stay with the wheelchair.

 

[DCDisney]

For the reserved wheelchair areas for fireworks / parades they get very crowded and the affected people are supposed to get the front spots so it would be very problematic for the kids to have to stand behind a whole bunch of chairs and scooters. Usually it's just the affected person and 1 or 2 others in those roped off areas because they are so crowded and they fill up earlier in my experience than the surrounding areas open to the general public. For the seated shows there is usually a gap for a wheelchair and then a small bench that would seat 2 or 3 people. These are often not the best seats and the rest of group would probably easily be able to sit nearby. Every show handles it a bit differently but getting to shows very early would give you plenty of flexibility to be seated together. Even traveling with just 2 of us I tended to not use the special seating areas outside because of the crowded aspect. Generally though if you are very polite and very flexible the CM's will do all they can to keep you together and make all your experiences great.

 

[mistysue]

This ride isn't the norm, but keep in mind it is always worth asking how to handle the ride. Last August while waiting for It's a small world a group did enter through the exit for one member that had a wheelchair. I didn't count but my guess would be there were about 15 people together (They all had matching shirts, so it really was one group) and they took up an entire boat. So that one may work out easily for you if the CM's let you do that on your MK day.

 

[parkhopping]

Thank you all for your responses. I really think there will only be a handful of times when we will want to do a ride together that doesn't have an accessible queue, and on those occasions we will just have a designated meeting place outside the ride and not bother trying to coordinate getting on at the same time. I might ask on Small World, though, if we all do that one.

After talking with the other adults in our group, another issue came up - how will the parking/transfer situation work at MK? A friend of mine said that when she went before with a similar injury, the parking attendant directed them to the handicapped parking area (even though they didn't have a permit). They were able to get a transfer wheelchair there. However, they weren't allowed to take it on the monorail. But the FAQ sticky indicates that we will not be able to park in the handicapped section without a permit, and that it's actually better to park at the end of the row near the tram since we won't have our own wheelchair. My questions based on this info:

1) Can the transfer wheelchairs be taken onto the ferry? If not, how are we supposed to get to the front gates with one?

2) If we are directed to park at the end of the row instead of handicapped parking, is there a way to get a transfer wheelchair in order to get the front gates?

3) For those of you who have taken crutches into the park with you, where do you put them? I just don't see a good way for them to be carried, and my friend said she couldn't figure out how to do it either

 

[SueM in MN]

Thank you all for your responses. I really think there will only be a handful of times when we will want to do a ride together that doesn't have an accessible queue, and on those occasions we will just have a designated meeting place outside the ride and not bother trying to coordinate getting on at the same time. I might ask on Small World, though, if we all do that one.

Small World boats have a small space between seats and are a pretty big step down. That would be one I would recommend your friend use the wheelchair boat and not try to transfer at ll. That boat has 6 seats and one wheelchair spot.

It's possible they might allow your whole group to board there, but not likely in my experience. There is often a long line in the handicapped queue. If you hit it just right, there may not be a line there, but the person on crutches may need their own row in order to get on and have room for the leg. So, you may not all fit on one boat anyway.

After talking with the other adults in our group, another issue came up - how will the parking/transfer situation work at MK? A friend of mine said that when she went before with a similar injury, the parking attendant directed them to the handicapped parking area (even though they didn't have a permit). They were able to get a transfer wheelchair there. However, they weren't allowed to take it on the monorail. But the FAQ sticky indicates that we will not be able to park in the handicapped section without a permit, and that it's actually better to park at the end of the row near the tram since we won't have our own wheelchair. My questions based on this info:

Guests who are directed to the handicapped parking area (WDW calls it Medical Parking), may park there in the unmarked spots.
Some of the spots have blue paint lines or signs - either of those are marked handicapped parking spots. Parking in one of those without a permit could get a guest a ticket. Guests without a handicapped parking permit are allowed to park in unmarked spots (without signs and with white paint lines)

If your friend does not have a handicapped parking permit, they may want to see if they would qualify for a temporary one. In most states, you can find the application form on line, print it out and bring to the doctor for a signature. Then you take or send it in for approval and processing.

The other parks are a little different than MK. At the other parks, once you get off the parking lot term, you are to the park entrance; at MK, you still have to take the monorail or ferry to the MK entrance.
Transfer wheelchairs are available at the 'medical parking' to get to the first place where a wheelchair can be rented.

1) Can the transfer wheelchairs be taken onto the ferry? If not, how are we supposed to get to the front gates with one?
2) If we are directed to park at the end of the row instead of handicapped parking, is there a way to get a transfer wheelchair in order to get the front gates?

No. The transfer wheelchairs are only available at the 'Medical Parking' and are not allowed past the Ticket and Transportation Center. They are meant to get guests to the area where a wheelchair can be rented.

Wheelchairs can be rented at Mickeys Gift Station at the Transportation and Ticket Center (limited quantities and no ECVs). If you are there early in the day, you should be able to rent a wheelchair there. Arriving in late afternoon may be more of an issue with wheelchairs not available.
The rental wheelchairs can w taken on the boat or monorail. If there are no rental wheelchairs available when you arrive, it is still worth asking at that shop to see what other options might be available.

3) For those of you who have taken crutches into the park with you, where do you put them? I just don't see a good way for them to be carried, and my friend said she couldn't figure out how to do it either

If you rent from one of the offsite companies, you can often get a crutch holder included with either an ECV or wheelchair. People have attached them to the wheelchair with straps or bungee cords.
What I usually see in the parks is the person in the wheelchair holding the crutches while someone else pushes the wheelchair. Holding the crutches together to one side along the body, with the tip of the crutches resting on the footrest.